This is my old development blog for my project Cube World.
There is now an official site: picroma.com.
The game is still in development and not available for download. Be careful of fake downloads.

2012/07/07

Cube World News

Homepage

I'm currently very busy with the offical game homepage. I'm programming it with C++. How cool is that? :D It will contain a forum, a blog, and probably an item and monster database.
The homepage isn't done yet, but I'll keep you up-to date in this blog.

Multiplayer

There's a separate server application and everyone will be able to host his own server. It's currently Windows-only but a Linux port should be no problem because it has basically no dependencies except Winsock. I'm also planning to include an in-game server browser which allows you to easily connect to different servers from the client. Of course, you can also play completely offline.

Release?

I know many of you want me to release the game in its current state. This might work for a sandbox game but it doesn't work well for an action RPG like Cube World. We still need to add things like a start screen, menues, save slots and character creation, more content and need to finish the homepage. I don't know how long this will take but we're doing our best to finish everything as soon as possible.

New Features

Today we had a funny three-player online multiplayer session. I made some screenshots and will use them to illustrate a few new features that we've added so far.

As you can see there is now a chat window in the lower left. In the screenshots we use cheating commands to change our names. There's also a /level command which allows you to reach any desired level. :P Of course I'll remove that in the final game. :)

Let's go exploring! Look, there's a new pet.

I hope you like my moustache. :P

There are now land name captions which fade in and out whenever you enter a different land.

You can now also crouch (see Pixxie in the background). When crouching you can sneak past enemies and also climb walls.

Streets sometimes have streetlights. You'll probably find a village when you follow a street.

Some impressions from our exploration....

We found a village. Each village has shops, inns and towers...

There is a sage in each tower which can identify things for you.

There are different kinds of shops: item shops, weapon shops and armor shops.

Each shop has a different range of products. The bow in the screenshot has rarity level 1. The maximum rarity level is 4 but you'll get such rare items only from rare bosses.

If you were to release the game as an Alpha, and call it a Sandbox/Action RPG, I think it would still do as well as it would if you finished EVERYTHING and then released it. You just take out the Sandbox part once its done :)

Have you considered adding depth of field to the camera? I know it would probably be quite an expensive effect performance wise, but could look very cool as an optional thing for machines that can handle it.. :)

wollay, this looks fantastic, I have been looking at this since mid last year, i started doubting my self and i thought you had dumped the preject but i have learn't no to do that again as this looks really cool, I cant wait until release!

Hah! Unlike those who are saying "I started doubting" I never started doubting! From the very beginning I noticed that you might not update us often, but when you do, you give us so much awesome info it'll last 2-3 months worth of waiting! Take our time and make a game of the year! No... a game of the CENTURY!

Wollay, this is looking truly beautiful and seems to be nearly finished from my perspective.

Have you thought of a way to market your game? So far you have quite a decent and still growing following, but this game deserves more people fawning over it! Perhaps you could talk with TotalBiscuit, and set up a video with you and him together, playing and discussing the game. If you do that, you're guaranteed with thousands of people noticing it ;)Maybe something to think about when you have the homepage and startmenu sorted out?

I'm so excited about this game! I hope that creating a multiplayer server will be easier in cubeworld than in minecraft. It's always bummed me out that it took so much work to create and maintain minecraft servers.

As excited as I am for this, I'm afraid of this game becoming boring once you've beaten all the monsters and gotten the best armor. That's the problem with a lot of games that sets things Little Big Planet or Minecraft apart from those that get old. Since they have the element of creation for the user, they become much more entertaining and lasting. I know you have a small house building feature as it is, and given enough love it could be one of those helping elements. By that I mean, tons upon tons of furniture, special building materials, etc. I just don't want the game to become really exciting for people who have followed this when it comes out and then just die out once we've seen everything there is to see.

Wollay, you mention that the game's not ready to be released except as a sandbox. I think that releasing a sandbox beta would be a great idea. With all these diehard fans you have helping out with testing, you'll be able to get a lot of bug feedback in.

And as you start to complete the RPG elements you can slowly add them in later beta releases.

After helping with countless beta testing periods for games, I have to say you definitely want to get the feedback started early. Because it will make fixing things far easier than waiting until the game's near "done" and then having all the issues to deal with at once.

A lot of games will release focus betas as well. So you might have various ones where only one class at a time is playable, to focus the testing on that class.

You might want to take a peek at what the guys at Project Zomboid have been doing with their game. People can pre-order the game, which helps fund the development. Those how have paid get access to the latest builds of the game to assist with testing. They also release a test version for anyone to try, though that has very limited features as is more of a demo of earlier (and fixed) versions.

Thanks! I'm already in contact with some popular Youtubers but I'd like to finish the homepage before making a new video. Currently there are many fake Cube World sites and I hope an official page will put an end to them.

I understand what you mean and will try to make the building system more complex and entertaining. However I don't want the game to become a building game once you've seen everything. Instead I'm trying to make the random generation of quests, dungeons, landscapes, items and enemies so complex that you'll always have something to do. Apart from that there will be regular updates with new content and features like new playable races, classes etc.

Hi Wollay, here's my story !!: (sorry for the bad english, I'm only 12 and i'm Italian)I was looking for games similar to Minecraft on youtube, when, suddenly, I see: CubeWorld, I thought .. will be a horrible fake. delve into the investigation, it was a fantastic game, as I had always wanted, I wanted to ask, as I have a Youtube channel, which is not exactly the best, I could get from you, a trial version of CubeWorld, maybe we do some Fans , looks responses, Best Regards, Ivan.

wollay, I’m not sure you are still looking at comments (probably back to making the game/home page) but I have a suggestion; how about armoring up your pets? The cat/dog/pig could have armor while the slime (my favorite pet) could have objects inside him such as skulls and bone? I would love to hear your opinion. Oh, and maybe make the slime slightly translucent?

Hi Wollay, first of all i have to say that the game looks more awesome every time that you update. After a few months, i have some ideas for the game.

First, the combat system. This will be a problem if you dont change it, because it will be boring after some time of playing the game. I dont maean to change it all, but to add some movements more than just "rigt-left-right-left". Its cool the spirit system, and dont change it. But it would be cool if you add some others movements in the complete combo system. I recently finished "Ys Origin". Its a really awesome game, and if you take a look to the combo that has the girl with the axe, you will understand what im aasking to you to add. The complete combo attack has 4 different movements, and that will be much more cool than just the one that the game already has. Im not saying to copy exactly from Ys origin, but you know, making some improvement will be really cool.

Second, an idea for the MP. The MP already has a reputation to make the character unlock certain items, stuff and places. But what if the reputation is also for ranks and leadership. The idea is to make kingdoms with NPCs AND real people, and not only NPCs and AI. I mean, you build your kingdom (starting with a normal house, and then you could get some upgrades with certain missions) and then you have to defend it in several missions like hordes of orcs or undeads that want to destroy your Fortress or that kind of stuff. When you accept the mission, you have a stipulated time to make up your defenses and call every ally you have to defend your kingdom. Then, after some time pass and you got some experience, you can defend your kingdom against other players and his armies. Also, you can earn money or something like that and hired som soldiers and upgrade them, so you can get a powerfull armie to defend your castle.

So, in summary, a system that allow you to make more powerfull leader or get a better rank of leadership that allow you to build a kingdom and rule over an army, bigger and bigger accord to the rank. Then, there will be missions to defend your castle, missions to assault another castles or specifics places and missions with the option of players vs players.And another system that allow the player to control your army, may be 12 soldiers that follow your orders to attack to someone, defend a post or defend someone that is in danger.

Dunno, may be its too much changes in MP, but that could be pretty nice to have clans all over a server full of characters. And thats another question, how many people can enter in a server, 4? 8? 16? 32? Or more? This idea has to have servers with at least 64 people to get exiting, otherwise it can be boring. Also, if you think that it is so much changes for the game, you can add this changes with a DLC, like "Cube World Kingdoms" or something like that

What you think? Can you do that?

PD.: Sorry if I have gramaticals errors, Im from Argentina, so... You understand

I am a freelance journalist. I write the gaming section for Aesthetic Magazine and am currently set to write for Cracked.com and TheGameFanataics.com. I would be more than happy to do a proper interview with you and help get the word out that way.

Armored pets is a cool idea. Currently we're still adding many different pet types with different body shapes so we still have to wait and see how we can handle it and how much work it would be (designing armor for each pet type).

Wollay, I see you responding to comments a lot so I think its best to type this up. There is no need to have a site before you release the game. Make final touches to the game first, then make a site. Also I believe you are forgetting something.... Not sure what though.

Be sure to check out Valve's new service: http://steamcommunity.com/greenlight/ -- they've created a platform for indie developers to submit their games to Steam and have the user base 'up vote' the good ones as a push to get them approved.

Great update Wollay! The game develops everytime more and more intresting, can't wait to play it!;) Good to know you're working on the website but... coding it in C++? No man, it's absolutely not cool... :)

Anyway, I have a little remark: streetlights are a great addition, but they should be generated on the road side, not in the middle!Keep up the good work,cheers from Italy!

he wollay! i lov ure game ure doing it by ureself! it must be truly hard! what ever i just downloaded over 50 fake cube worlds! i love this game so mutch its freaking awsome! its my type its the R.P.G that i always wanted to play!!! keep going dude! i hope u release it as soon as possible! good work!

No rush, Wollay. It's your game, release it when you think it's ready. The only thing I hope for is a playable werewolf-if you do that, I will be the happiest gamer on the face of the earth. And maybe something like these: http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs11/i/2006/233/7/8/Leaper_Lizards_by_CacklingSkerries.jpg

I'm not sure the software is powerful enough, but you should look into porting this to the OUYA. I just saw where its already reached over 3 million in kickstarter pledges so there's already an established customer base. Check out their kickstarter page.

I think you should change the colour of the pet health bars as I find it hard to tell if it is a player or a pet at first glance because for example lets say there are 5 players in the distance all together and they all had pets it can be misleading and people may think there is 10 players by looking at the amount of blue hp bars

Hello there Wollay and fans of Cube World I just want to give some ideas for the games that might be cool I don't care if you don't like them II really don't mind but yeah ok so what you should do at the start of the game you get to pick a class out of 4 of them I don't know what classes maybe like warrior or something but when you get on a higher level you can get better classes and also you should make a ton of bosses and worlds like heaven and hell and I don't know worlds and also you should be able to buy a empty bottle made from glass and you can put sp from them I dunno but I don't want to get bored but yeah thats all so bye

Wow . . . once again, I'm blown away by your world. It is exponentially better than Minecraft's. I don't know what Notch is doing! (Working on Scrolls, actually. I don't know what Jeb is doing. Maybe sitting on his hands?)

I am really psyched for this game's release, as is so many other people. Looking forward to your new website!

I'm still interested in the game but it is just taking to long to come out. From what I have seen so far it looks good but you should release a alpha soon because if my friends and get bored of it you will lose plenty of buyers as I give out game reviews to all my friends

Hello wollay, So i was thinking that it sould be nice to learn new moves partly with level up but most with kind of master of fight that live in mountain (Just to represent you my idea) you have to do quest for him and then he learn you a new move.I'm still thinking that one big city per kingdom and quest' creation tool should be great ideas.I hope you are making lots of medals and price :)Scripted mouvement of PnJ in villagesBetter shader only for character and monster

I don't see how waiting for a game will make you like it less. Yes, you may get bored of waiting, but once you see it is out you will get it and play it and most likely find it was well worth the wait.

launched the game because you do not ta think that this very repetitious the game? then place that put souls into weapons of attributes, such as fire and new movimentos.add eventsand cutscene, such as a castle ruins and dragons arrive

The game should be released now because updates will keep us coming back and it is a great way to boost sales. Look at Minecraft, it has over 5 million sales and most of those sales were during its alpha and beta state (I bought the game during Alpha and think its still fun from how different it was back then.). It helps players tell their friends to buy the game and it is worth it because there are many updates to come. So I totally think you should release it when the official website is done.

Sadly I have to agree I've been watching this game since it's early days. I went from checking a few times a day to once a month. It's not a AAA title so I'll probably forget about it. Hopefully not, I really wanna play it.

I played Minecraft since Alpha 5.0, and i got bored in beta 5.0. Now i see the game pretty much fun since the official realase, but i got bored forever. No change can reverse that. I dont want to happen again in this awesome game, so its worthy he waiting

Hi Wollay, i dont know if u already awnsered this question, i dont want to compare this game to minecraft but i would like to know if we'll be able to mine ores and build stuff. ANd if u have any plans of making game modes (easy/medium/hard or if we can build stuff a creation mode, even a hardcore mode). Sorry for my english. And take ur time to make the game its better to wait and delivery something great then launch something normal (diablo 3 flashbacks).

You will be able to build stuff, but you won't have as much control as you do in Minecraft. Here's a link that will help explain it more: http://wollay.blogspot.com/2012/01/screenshots-blueprints-mobs-pets.html

Wollay, I personally have a problem, whenever I want a game its usual release is on a Tuesday, which is fine, commonly, but I can't play it until Thursday, I could buy your game because its on pc, but I don't own a credit card myself, and so I won't be able to buy it until thursday, whilst my friends merrily mock me on the best rpg I have seen (Still talking about your game) So could you (If your releasing it on a monday-wednesday) allow us to pre order the game a week before when you decide your done and It releases.

Hey wollay will character saving be like minecraft, were one character per world, or like terraria were you can select any character for any world?iI think the terraria path would be better with a rpg like cube world

hey hey just an idea, but some sort of grand quests, which are random like the rest of the game and hard to find so you dont get repetions of the quest, but they have alot more complexity to them and a slight plot. Like zelda style where u have to find 7 gems in different dungeons to save a town or somthing, probly not so original but somthing more emersing than just side quests

Hey there Wollay, excellent new content we're seeing here, as usual. I was hoping you could answer me a question, regarding a third-party site by the URL of cubeworldforum.org. You mentioned in another comment on this post that you wanted to get rid of "fake" sites. Is the aforementioned site one of these "fake" sites you were referring to? If anything, this forum, as well as others across the internet, are helping to boost the popularity of the game. If you clarified on this statement you made, I think it would go a long way in your favor, as a few friends of mine who were once fans of yours have begun to look at you less favorably, solely because of this statement and what it might mean regarding cubeworldforum.org. I mean no offense, of course, through this post, but it doesn't hurt to clarify what you meant by "fake" sites. I'm still joining your forum as soon as it opens, though. :) Speaking of, when are you planning to open the new homepage/forum to the public? Thanks in advance if you reply to this.

Hey wollay, I've been commenting quite alot, but I have not been up-to date. As all the 100's people commenting... So I will try and stay up-to date.

So, This game looks fantastic, so far I think its finished... Finished for a demo maybe? I know TONS of people will be downloading the demo. ;- Also, do you know the system requirements yet? I don't have a great laptop but I hope I can run this.About the demo... Is there any chance you could release a demo? The game looks finished for people including me for trying out, I am willing to pay £30 for this, or $50 I don't know how much it is for america :/ But yeah sorry for keep repeating myself, But I am sure other people wants to play this aswell as me, even more maybe. I have been here since the ever, ever first blog of this. Thanks for taking your time to read this.P.S Keep on going with all of these awesome updates.P.S.S You say that this is not likely to seem like a RPG? With the Leveling system and skills I would say it is a RPG. Thanks again.Regards, Luke.

Wollay, Maybe you can put a system to change the textures or let the players have the fun to modify their games or ad mods (like minecraft) that they made them self(Sorry for my english, I´m french and I don´t finish the school)And for all you show to us : Thanks a lot(personnaly I dream I´m playing to this game)

About me & Contact

This is my development blog for Cube World and Plasma. If you have any questions, send me an email: wollay@picroma.com
Please understand that I can't answer all emails, especially with questions answered in the FAQ. :)